Anchor systems and methods

Abstract

Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that receives a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) and secures the instrument in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some circumstances, the anchor device may allow the anchor device to be used after medical instrument is already in place without the need for a second penetration point for the anchor device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An anchor system, comprising:
 a retainer body to releasably couple to an external portion of a catheter when the catheter is occupying a skin penetration point, wherein the retainer body includes a removable cap member releasably attachable with extension elements of the retainer body and being configured to frictionally engage with at least a portion of an outer surface of the catheter when the retainer body releasably couples to the catheter; and 
 first and second anchors coupled to the retainer body and being configured to extend distally from a distal end of the retainer body, the first anchor comprising a first subcutaneous flexible tine and the second anchor comprising a second subcutaneous flexible tine, the first and second subcutaneous flexible tines being deployable in a subcutaneous region adjacent to a skin layer to secure the retainer body relative to the skin penetration point, 
 wherein the first and second subcutaneous flexible tines are positioned distal to the distal end of the retainer body when deployable in the subcutaneous region adjacent to the skin layer such that the first and second anchors are configured to deploy into the skin penetration point occupied by the catheter while the retainer body resides fully external to the skin penetration point. 
 
     
     
       2. The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer body comprises a retention portion comprising a flexible gripping material that defines a channel to receive the external portion of the catheter when the retainer body releasably couples to the catheter. 
     
     
       3. The anchor system of  claim 2 , wherein the cap member is more rigid than the flexible gripping material of the retention portion of the retainer body. 
     
     
       4. The anchor system of  claim 3 , wherein the cap member defines apertures that releasably receive the extension elements of the retainer body when the retainer body releasably couples to the catheter. 
     
     
       5. The anchor system of  claim 1 , further comprising the catheter to releasably couple with the retainer body. 
     
     
       6. The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second subcutaneous flexible tines is curved. 
     
     
       7. The anchor system of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second subcutaneous flexible tines are curved tines having a convexly curved portion that extends longitudinally toward a non-sharp free end. 
     
     
       8. The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein when the first and second anchors are adjustable from a first configuration to a deployed configuration when the first and second anchors are deployed into the skin penetration point occupied by the catheter. 
     
     
       9. The anchor system of  claim 8 , further comprising an actuator to adjust the first and second anchors from the first configuration to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       10. The anchor system of  claim 8 , wherein the first anchor includes a first external longitudinal shaft portion extending in a longitudinal direction distally away from the distal end of the retainer body toward the first subcutaneous flexible tine when the first anchor is in the deployed configuration, and wherein the second anchor includes a second external longitudinal shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction distally away from the distal end of the retainer body toward the second subcutaneous flexible tine when the second anchor is in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       11. The anchor system of  claim 8 , wherein the first external longitudinal shaft portion of the first anchor and the second external longitudinal shaft portion of the second anchor extend generally parallel to another and generally side-by-side to one another. 
     
     
       12. The anchor system of  claim 1 , wherein when the first and second anchors are configured to adjust positions relative to one another during removal of the first and second anchors from the subcutaneous region.